Pilot Bob Priddle says the hospitality of outback communities make long journeys worthwhile.

ABC Rural: Cherie von Hörchner

"Generally speaking, in the outback and those sort of remote areas, Australians are the best that you'll find anywhere," he said.

"People pick you up, run you into town, offer you the use of their car, and they won't accept any money for it.

"They're the real souls of the Earth. One of the reasons light aircraft are great is that you can get around these areas quickly and you can meet and involve yourself with some of these wonderful people."

Even before cases of strawberry sabotage crippled sales and cost the industry millions of dollars, Australian growers were despairing over dumping tonnes of perfectly good fruit that was too small or odd-shaped to find a market.